Halting site fire safety reviewed

COUNCIL ENHANCED FIRE SAFETY AT ALL TRAVELLER SITES IN THE COUNTY

IN the wake of the tragedy at a halting site in Carrickmines last year, Kerry County Council has carried out a fire safety review of all halting sites in the county.

Last October’s tragic incident – in which 10 people including five children lost their lives in a fire – prompted the Government to order a safety review of all traveller accommodation nationwide.

As part of that extensive review, 27 permanent traveller accommodation units in Kerry’s four halting sites were appraised by Kerry County Council and the local Fire Service.

Kerry’s four halting sites are located at The Dingle Road and Rathass in Tralee, Deerpark in Killarney and at Gortroe in Fossa.

According to a report on the national audit – which was published last Wednesday – enhancements to improve fire safety were carried out at all 27 units.

The fire service also carried out pre-incident planning visits to all four halting sites in the county to familiarise themselves with the sites’ layout, facilities and any potential hazards they may contain.

In addition fire safety talks and demonstrations were given to the residents of the halting sites by the Fire Service.

In the immediate wake of the tragic fire in Carrickmines a council inspection of the four halting sites found inadequate separation between housing units; a lack of fireproof screen walls, unmarked fire hydrants and blocked emergency exits.

Kerry County Council said all issues found in the inspections have since been rectified.